Matteo Marzotto, the well-dressed man in the photo, is said to wear blue shirts most days, and that makes my point for me. Aside from some white for evening, a man can do just fine with nothing in his closet but light blue shirts. After all, blue combines well with jackets in gray, navy, tan and brown. What does that leave, really? Nothing.
Wearing nothing but blue may sound dull but it actually provides plenty of variety. A dozen blue shirts hardly begin to cover the options. Oxford cloth and twill for winter, chambray and end on end for shoulder season and voile and high twist weaves for summer. Tiny houndstooth checks and hairline stripes spaced so closely that they appear solid. And then there are the cuffs: turnback for city suits and button cuffs for less formal attire. With spread collars, tab collars, buttondowns and collars for pins; even a contrast collar or two.
Dress shirts are simple.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Dress Shirts Are Simple
Photo: Blogosfere
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18 comments:
I wholeheartedly agree with the blue shirt theory. Light blue goes with everything, and depending on the bulk colour of your outfit, can be instantly added to with a splash of colour such as the correct tie.
I am certain that all men with a solid sense of style would agree with blue shirt theory, for the blue shirt is indeed a barometer of what to wear (it complements the full color palette of a suit wardrobe), in the sense that, if it doesn't go with a light blue shirt, it's probably a wrong choice. But would not white shirts with blue stripes (wider stripes than the ones you mentioned, from barely distinguishable to candy stripes) fall under this master category also?
Will, I would love to know your thoughts on eye wear, which is something I don't recall you writing about.
Gustavo, I would happily write about eyewear save that I know little or nothing about it.
Agreed Will, 90% of my clients buy only light blue in all its variations. My shirt drawer is also all light blue, goes with all my jackets and suits.
Will, I want to ask you a question and I want to E-mail you. I know you've posted here before but cannot locate it. Love your blog!
JC, the spammers have left me only one choice:
http://store.dynend.com/contact-us.aspx
Hmm, somebody else on here is going by JC besides me.
Will, may I know where you got the silver herringbone tie as shown in this previous post? Or at least what brand it is? I tried to locate it on your online store but could not find it. Thanks.
http://asuitablewardrobe.dynend.com/2009/06/automatic-success.html
Will,
As I mentioned, love your blog. I've checked it everyday as it's help me dress much better. Your insight is great.
When I saw your recent post that showed the Duke's odd jackets in his closet, I kind of was intrigued to see if you would post a picture of your closet as I imagine to be quite colorful and extensive and organized.
That would be something to admire!
Will, as I noticed that the "other JC" usually post and I don't, if you can leave me off the record so that the original JC does not get offended. :-)
Thanks again Will for your Blog!
Do you think it's tacky to buy multiple blue shirts that are exactly the same? Anything wrong with having a duplicate or two in your opinion?
JC, I have several closets and have never been able to get an interesting photo from any of them.
Ryan, there is nothing wrong with having more than one of something. I have duplicates of at least five different blue shirts that I can think of.
Jon, that tie is from Drakes London.
My shirt wardrobe is actually now about 80% solid light blues and light lilacs (all by Hemrajani), and I find that the latter to be more versatile than the former. I have a darker skin tone, so maybe that has something to do w/ it.
A quick check revealed my shirt wardrobe to be 2/3 blue, iuncluding stripes and checks. I wear a blue shirt 3 or 4 days a week, and on the weekends, too. Pink and lavender round out my collection (I'm still looking for the right shade of yellow).
Not only do I have duplicates of some shirts, I have lots of duplicated socks and underwear, and even two ties in Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (different widths & directions for the stripes). Now, to get an A&SH bow tie!
You guys are right, I'm guessing at least 1/3 of my shirts are blue or have blue pattern. Linen, viole, oxford, twill, etc. But I don't have any chambray. Maybe I should get some of Will's chambray offering.
OJC :)
For the pure professional the white shirt reigns supreme unless an extreme complexion clashes with it - the business shirt is called waishatsu in Japanese, and the Japanese got that right. Light blue is an acceptable alternative, especially in a slightly more relaxed setting. As far as the naming goes, I am not the only Richard here.
No disagreement with the universal utility of blue, but wearing nothing else would get tedious and would rapidly exhaust your talent for combining color and texture Will! I did a quick check and about two thirds of my shirts are blue or blue stripes/checks but I do like some other options. Marzotto btw I consider probably the best dressed guy in the world at present. No matter what the occasion he seems to bring a classic polish to it without looking in the least overdone.
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